Peri-operative nurse

Job Purpose

The Perioperative Nurse provides safe, high-quality, evidence-based nursing care to patients undergoing surgical and invasive procedures. Working within a multidisciplinary surgical team, the nurse is responsible for preoperative assessment and preparation, intraoperative patient advocacy and support, and postoperative monitoring and care. The position also contributes to clinical teaching, mentorship of nursing staff and students, and continuous quality improvement to ensure patient safety and adherence to perioperative standards and protocols.

Specific Responsibilities:

Clinical nursing care

• Develop, implement, and evaluate perioperative nursing care plans in collaboration with the surgical and multidisciplinary team across preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases.
• Conduct comprehensive preoperative patient assessments and ensure readiness for surgery, including verification of consent, investigations, and safety checklists.
• Monitor patients’ vital signs and intraoperative parameters, responding promptly to changes in condition and escalating concerns to the surgical or anesthesia team.
• Assist surgeons, anesthetists, and other healthcare providers during surgical procedures, ensuring aseptic technique and patient safety in the operating theatre.
• Provide safe and effective postoperative nursing care, including pain management, wound care, drain management, and early detection of surgical complications.
• Educate patients and families on perioperative processes, surgical procedures, recovery expectations, and post-discharge care instructions.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and complete perioperative documentation, including surgical safety checklists and intraoperative records, in line with hospital standards and protocols.

Patient Safety & Quality Improvement

• Participate in perioperative adverse event reporting and root cause analysis processes in compliance with hospital patient safety and surgical quality standards.
• Contribute to operating theatre continuous quality improvement initiatives, including surgical audits, infection prevention reviews, and perioperative outcome monitoring.
• Adhere to Rwanda Hospital Accreditation Standards and support operating theatre preparedness for accreditation assessments and surgical safety compliance.
• Ensure proper use, sterilization, maintenance, and inventory management of surgical instruments, anesthesia equipment, and theatre supplies; report any deficiencies to the theatre in charge.
• Report surgical incidents, adverse events, and near misses promptly in line with hospital policies and perioperative safety reporting systems.

Teaching, Mentorship & Professional Development

• Mentor and support orientationf of new staff and students during clinical rotations on the ward.
• Participate in ward-based in-service training, case presentations, and nursing grand rounds.
• Engage in continuing professional development (CPD) activities and apply new knowledge to clinical practice.
• Support the implementation of evidence-based nursing practice guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Collaboration & Communication

Participate actively in daily team rounds, handover reports, and care coordination meetings.

Communicate effectively with patients, families, and team members, maintaining dignity, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity.

Required Qualifications

• Master of science in peri-operative nursing with a valid nursing license of practing in Rwanda
• Minimum of 5 years of clinical nursing experience in perioperative or surgical nursing in a hospital setting; experience in a teaching or referral hospital is an added value.
• Demonstrated experience in clinical teaching, mentorship, and supervision of nursing staff and students in the operating theatre environment.
• Familiarity with Rwanda national clinical protocols, infection prevention and control (IPC) standards, and surgical safety checklist systems.
• Strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in perioperative patient management.
• Proficiency in basic computer skills and willingness to use electronic medical record and theatre documentation systems.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary surgical and anesthesia team.
• Ability to support basic data collection, quality improvement tracking, and perioperative outcome analysis.
• Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda; knowledge of French is an advantage.
• Ability to live PIH/IMB values: Ubumuntu-Compassion, Ubupfura-Integrity, Ubunyangamugayo-Honesty, Ubwubahane-Mutual respect, Ubufatanye-Solidarity, Agaciro-Dignity, Kugira ishyaka-Determination.
• At Partners In Health, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including our patients, families and community members – as well as our staff are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. By signing this Job Description, the employee confirms their understanding of this commitment, their readiness to follow it, and adhere to it.